Wales player ratings vs Argentina | Quilter Nations Series 2025

Wales player ratings: Forget about the scoreline because the most damaging news is the shoulder injury to captain Jac Morgan, sustained while scoring a try, and he is set for some time on the sidelines. This was Steve Tandy’s first game in charge and while there were some good moments, the loss of Morgan and defensive lapses will be of real concern with Japan, New Zealand and South Africa coming on three successive Saturdays this month.

Wales are 12th in the world rankings and if they lose to Japan they will drop into the lower group of teams for the Rugby World Cup draw – a potential disaster for a side trying to prove there are still reasons for Welsh fans to believe good times are ahead.

15. Blair Murray – 5
Scarlets’ players’ player of the year, named in the United Rugby Championship (URC) Elite XV before being crowned the Welsh Rugby Writers’ young player of the year. However, this performance did not build on last season’s accolades. Beaten in the air too often and while he had a try-saving moment and got a late score, there weren’t enough impacts overall.

14. Tom Rogers – 5
The wing showed his elusive running to help set up the try for Tomos Williams and is the key man to chase restarts for Wales. But while he gets there impressively, what he does next is not Test class. This was summed up by his miss on Pablo Matera, who caught the kick-off, evaded Rogers’ despairing dive, and set up the sucker-punch try for Mateo Carreras before half-time. Pace is key – but only if backed up by the technical skills to make the most of it.

13. Max Llewellyn – 6
A couple of trademark big hits, one stopping a try attempt close to the Welsh line. However, he looked short of the pace you need at this level. His partnership with Thomas in midfield has the potential to solve a long-standing headache for Wales, though it’s still in its infancy. You wonder what Nick Tompkins could add in terms of decision-making and footwork.

12. Ben Thomas – 5
A stupid moment when he lashed out at Matera, who was holding his leg, and only a bad aim spared him a direct hit to the flanker’s head and a likely red card. He has a key role to play as the second playmaker, but you cannot have suspect decision-making under pressure in that role, and his kicking showed he’s still raw.

11. Josh Adams – 6
The 30-year-old could be lost to English or French club rugby when his Cardiff deal runs out at the end of the season, and his experience remains vital for a backline low on caps. He got little time with ball in hand and spent much of the first half manning the ramparts before a couple of positive contributions.

10. Dan Edwards – 6
Made his second start for Wales having steered them to victory over Japan. His kicking was sound and his distribution solid. Could form a useful double act in attack with Thomas and benefits enormously from having a world-class scrum-half inside him.

9. Tomos Williams – 8
Got the try to get Wales off the floor in the first half and showed the kind of game intelligence – a quick dropout proving this – that is vital if Wales are to climb back up the world rankings. Always a threat and a genuine world-class operator even behind a pack that doesn’t dominate, and you could even excuse him a try-costing error.

1. Rhys Carré – 6
He returned to Wales’ starting side for the first time since 2023 and helped the scrum deliver a solid base once they stopped going over the mark. His ball carrying is a key weapon and Wales need to get him onto the ball more often.

2. Dewi Lake – 6
Three lineout losses in the first half hurt the cause and he will be disappointed with that statistic. A busy performance in the loose and a well-taken short-range try was reward for a wholehearted performance against the big Pumas.

3. Keiron Assiratti – 5
Trying to convince everyone he is the answer as the leading tighthead. Handled the Pumas – who are not particularly highly rated – front row without too many problems. One run showed he could be a ball carrier but he flopped over too many rucks without making an impact.

4. Dafydd Jenkins – 5
Jenkins made his first appearance since the Guinness Six Nations and while he has a great engine, the game at this level requires more in terms of big hitting from a second row. He continues to look like a blindside flanker in the wrong position.

5. Adam Beard – 5
Beard featured for Wales for the first time in 2025 and is now based in France. While he is a game competitor like his second-row partner, he’s a tall-timber player rather than a ball-carrying option, and Wales need one of those in the middle of the scrum.

6. Alex Mann – 6
Cardiff’s Alex Mann won the battle for the number six jersey and showed why he’s highly rated by the head coach. His work rate and eagerness for hard work are encouraging, and he could end up being a useful foil for Morgan moving forward.

7. Jac Morgan – 9
Another brilliant performance from the heartbeat of the team. However, the injury he sustained scoring a second-half try looks serious and that is a shattering blow for the player and his team. Just marvellous in every aspect of his play and irreplaceable.

8. Aaron Wainwright – 6
Limped off as the final quarter arrived and there were enough good moments to confirm he is a useful footballer, but one who needs to look for space rather than trying to batter bigger opponents. Eclipsed by the Pumas’ big men in the contact area.

Replacements

16. Liam Belcher – 6
Made an impact with a good counter-ruck although the scrum did not improve to any great extent when he arrived.

17. Nicky Smith – 6
A couple of good moments from this talented forward although he found the Pumas replacement tighthead hard to handle.

18. Archie Griffin – 5
Stood up in one scrum and the jury is still out at this level. Offered himself in the loose for work.

19. Freddie Thomas – 5
Fronted up when he came on without making any major impacts.

20. Olly Cracknell – 5
His debut didn’t allow him to deliver the kind of ball carrying that marks him out at Leicester.

21. Kieran Hardy – 5
Only a short appearance so little to work on.

22. Jarrod Evans – 5
Not much he could do in a messy final quarter for the Quins man.

23. Louis Rees-Zammit – 7
Making his first appearance for Wales in two years after returning from American football, and signs that he remains a real threat, particularly with the kick ahead.